Clippers fall flat in latest road loss

Although it’s unlikely the Clippers will complete the season without a road victory, anything seemed possible Friday night after their “embarrassing” performance in a 111-82 blowout loss to the San Antonio Spurs in front of a sellout crowd of 18,797 at the AT&T; Center.

The Clippers dropped to 9-9 overall and 0-7 as a visiting team in their most lopsided loss this season. The Spurs overwhelmed them with efficient passing and selfless teamwork, concepts it seems the Clippers still haven’t fully grasped.

“It was embarrassing, man, just embarrassing,” Elton Brand said. “That wasn’t a game, it was a clinic on how to play hard and play winning basketball. They played hard, shared the ball and worked together. That’s what we want to do.”

Coach Mike Dunleavy made probably his best move late in the third quarter with the Clippers trailing by 32 points, removing Brand from the game. Dunleavy figured it made sense for the team’s franchise player to get some extra rest for tonight’s game against the lowly Memphis Grizzlies at FedEx Forum.

The Clippers could finally get a road victory against struggling Memphis, but not if the team that played the Spurs shows up again tonight, players said.

“It was just a good old butt whuppin’,” Sam Cassell said. “It was old-fashioned, just like the one your grandmama used to give you. We just didn’t put forth an effort and it showed.”

From the start.

The Clippers never led, and trailed by 22 at halftime and by as many as 37 in the fourth quarter. The Spurs (15-5) put it all together in their fourth consecutive victory and eighth in a row against the Clippers here, getting a personal-best 15 assists from Tony Parker, 22 points off the bench from Manu Ginobili and 62 points combined from their reserves.

“We just had a fast start,” said Parker, who also set his previous top mark in assists against the Clippers. “Basically, I penetrated and my teammates were open and making shots.

“They kind of forced me to pass it, they never left me open in the first half, and my teammates kept making shots. I decided to keep passing the ball.”

Tim Duncan had 16 points and 10 rebounds for San Antonio, which outrebounded the Clippers, 44-35. And the Southwest Division’s first-place team had a season-low six turnovers compared with 31 assists.

“They show you what it’s like when you move the ball and play together,” Cuttino Mobley said. “Guys move that ball and they trust each other, so it’s a whole different game with them. You’ve got to take a page out of their book and learn from it.”

Then the Clippers have a lot of homework to do.

“They’re just a better team. You know what I’m saying?” said Shaun Livingston, who led the Clippers with 16 points, making eight of 11 shots from the field.

“I know people might not be happy to hear it, and it’s not easy to say this, but they play the way we’re trying to play. That’s what they do.”

Failing to match the Spurs’ high level of play was disappointing, Dunleavy said, but the Clippers’ lack of intensity was unacceptable.

“We started the game in a soft manner,” Dunleavy said. “Their guys ran the floor harder than we did and created opportunities for themselves.”

After the trip, the Clippers face the Spurs on Monday at Staples Center. The Spurs have beaten their last three opponents by a combined 89 points.

“Tonight was one of those nights in the NBA where one team plays really well and one team has troubles,” San Antonio Coach Gregg Popovich said. “Come Monday, I’m sure things will be more competitive.”

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jason.reid@latimes.com

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KEYS TO THE GAME

* Tony Parker’s penetration. Parker had a career-high 15 assists, thwarting the Clippers’ defensive plan.

* Chris Kaman’s ineffectiveness. Kaman lacked aggressiveness, and the Clippers suffered because of it.

* The Spurs’ productive bench. San Antonio got 62 points from its reserves, led by Manu Ginobili with 22.

--JASON REID